The Procurement Playbook for Switching Off Polystyrene

A real plan, not a vision deck

Most "switch off foam" projects die in procurement because nobody writes a real timeline. Here's the 90-day playbook Cerda Mycelium uses with new SMB clients to convert their top three SKUs without disrupting fulfillment.

Days 1–14: Audit and prioritize

• Pull last 12 months of SKU-level packaging spend
• Identify the top 3 SKUs by foam volume (not unit count)
• Document current insert dimensions and drop-test specs

Days 15–30: RFP and sample

• Issue a sample request to 2–3 mycelium suppliers
• Specify required certifications (ASTM D6400, TÜV Home Compost)
• Request per-unit pricing at 500, 2,500, and 10,000 unit tiers
• Receive samples and run internal drop tests

Days 31–45: Validate

• Run real shipping trials with 50 units per SKU
• Measure breakage rate vs. EPS baseline
• Compare unboxing photos for shelf appeal
• Calculate EPR fee delta

Days 46–60: Tooling

• Approve final CAD
• Issue purchase order for custom molds (5-day Cerda lead time)
• Lock production schedule

Days 61–90: Phase-in

• Run mycelium and EPS in parallel for 30 days
• Monitor fulfillment metrics: breakage, returns, customer complaints
• Decommission foam supplier contract

Common pitfalls

• Skipping the parallel run — always overlap suppliers for 30 days
• Underordering the first mycelium batch — order 20% over your forecast for safety stock
• Forgetting to update sustainability marketing copy on the product page

Start the 90 days now

Request a sample insert from Cerda Mycelium today. Day 1 of your playbook starts the moment that sample lands on your desk.